Antioxidant and Antiulcerogenic Activity of the Dry Extract of Pods of Libidibia ferrea Mart. ex Tul. (Fabaceae)

Abstract

Ethnomedicinal studies in the Amazon community and in the Northeast region of Brazil highlight the use of Libidibia ferrea fruits for the treatment of gastric problems. However, there are no data in the literature of this pharmacological activity. Thus, the aim of this paper is to provide a scientific basis for the use of the dry extract of L. ferrea pods (DELfp) for the treatment of peptic ulcers. Phytochemical characterization was performed by HPLC/MS. In vitro antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, ABTS, phosphomolybdenum, and superoxide radical scavenging activity. The gastroprotective activity, the ability to stimulate mucus production, the antisecretory activity, and the influence of -SH and NO compounds on the antiulcerogenic activity of DELfp were evaluated. The healing activity was determined by the acetic acid-induced chronic ulcer model. Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity was investigated. HPLC/MS results identified the presence of phenolic compounds, gallic acid and ellagic acid, in DELfp. The extract showed antioxidant activity in vitro. In ulcers induced by absolute ethanol and acidified ethanol, the ED50 values of DELfp were 113 and 185.7 mg/kg, respectively. DELfp (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) inhibited indomethacin-induced lesions by 66.7, 69.6, and 65.8%, respectively. DELfp (200 mg/kg) reduced gastric secretion and H+ concentration in the gastric contents and showed to be independent of nitric oxide (NO) and dependent on sulfhydryl (-SH) compounds in the protection of the gastric mucosa. In the chronic ulcer model, DELfp reduced the area of the gastric lesion. DELfp also showed anti-H. pylori activity. In conclusion, DELfp showed antioxidant, gastroprotective, healing, and antiulcerogenic activities. The mechanism of these actions seems to be mediated by different pathways and involves the reduction of gastric secretion and H+ concentration, dependence on sulfhydryl compounds, and anti-H. pylori activity. All these actions support the medicinal use of this species in the management of peptic ulcers.

Caesalpinia ferrea C. Mart. (Fabaceae) Phytochemistry, Ethnobotany, and Bioactivities: A Review

“…Characterization of the pod hydroalcoholic extract chemical constituents revealed the presence of polyphenols (7.3%) and HPLC-MS chromatographic analyzes revealed the presence of nine compounds: galiliquinoic acid, galloyl-HHDP-hex, brevifolin carboxylic acid, valonium dilactone acid, gallic acid derivatives, ellagic acid derivatives (hex-ellagic acid), ellagic acid, and dihydroisovaltrate [ 12 , 14 ].…”

“…In C. ferrea , the presence of these polysaccharides was detected by different authors, and these biomolecules are chemotaxonomic markers used to the analysis and identification of these species [ 64 , 65 ]. Other chemical compounds useful as chemotaxonomic markers of Caesalpiniaceae are flavonoids, terpenoids, and isoflavonoids [ 12 , 14 , 48 , 66 ].…”

“…The antibacterial activity of the C. ferrea pod hydromethanolic extract was evaluated against oral bacteria that are commonly associated with bad breath, where a Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 50 µg/mL and a Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) >50 µg/mL were obtained for Parvimonas micra , whereas the Porphyromonas gingivalis microorganism obtained a MIC of 120 µg/mL and a MBC of 130 µg/mL [ 14 ]. Moreover, the pod hydroalcoholic extract presented an antibacterial activity against Helicobacter pylori with a MIC and MBC of 512 µg/mL [ 12 ].…”

“…The leaf hydroalcoholic extract also showed high antioxidant activity in the DPPH and ABTS free radical elimination assays with Half Maximal Inhibitory Concentration (IC 50 ) values of 28.96 and 145.10 μg/mL, respectively [ 12 ]. Four pod extracts (chloroformic, n-hexane, hydroalcoholic, and ethyl acetate) were evaluated for their antioxidant activity; however, only two extracts presented free radical elimination activity, these being the hydroalcoholic extract, with IC 50 values of 74.36 μg/mL for DPPH and ABTS IC 50 of 9.76 μg/mL, and the ethyl acetate extract, with IC 50 values of 116.10 and 29.13 μg / mL for DPPH and ABTS, respectively [ 56 ].…”

“…C. ferrea leaves, fruits, pods, and bark have been reported in the literature to have antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antiulcerogenic properties [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”